A Philadelphia-based organization supplying significant quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine to North Central West Virginia has led to the charging of twenty-five individuals in the case.
United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld has revealed an indictment and the subsequent arrests of individuals in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia on charges related to drug trafficking. Based on court documents, Rodney Johnson, a 46-year-old resident of Philadelphia, was identified as the ringleader of a group responsible for supplying large quantities of illegal drugs to Monongalia County. The organization’s members chose to reside in apartments in Morgantown and utilized them as storage spaces for their illicit substances.
“The indictment and subsequent arrests have resulted in the dismantling of a highly sophisticated operation that was responsible for distributing significant amounts of dangerous drugs in our region,” stated U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “The diligent efforts of our agents and prosecutors in this case have made our communities safer, highlighting our effectiveness in disrupting drug trafficking.”
“I am pleased to acknowledge the collaborative endeavors of the FBI and our fellow law enforcement agencies in dismantling a criminal organization that sought to saturate our communities with this dangerous substance,” emphasized Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge. “An investigation of this magnitude necessitates cooperation and collaboration. The outcome of this operation exemplifies the strength of partnerships and the FBI’s unwavering dedication to mitigating violence within our communities.”
In a well-coordinated effort across four states, law enforcement has apprehended a total of 22 individuals. Currently, investigators are actively pursuing the remaining suspects.
Rodney Johnson, a 46-year-old resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Ryan Shaw, a 27-year-old resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Rasheab Bradsher, a 47-year-old resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Zelda Wesley, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, is handling the case as the government’s prosecutor.
The Mon Metro Drug Task Force, an initiative funded by HIDTA, conducted an investigation into this case. The task force comprises various law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Virginia State Police, the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office, the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Morgantown Police Department, the WVU Police Department, the Granville Police Department, and the Star City Police Department.
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